This QP Town Hall session was filmed – you can watch the video here (Note: this video is hosted on YouTube and cannot be accessed via the EB network. Please visit the link using a personal device).
As part of a series of QP Town Hall discussions, Sean Davies recently held a session with QP Waterfront employees to provide updates on several key programs and take questions and feedback from the workforce.
“Our objective is to get out in front of the workforce, and let you know what’s going on the neighborhood, so to speak,” said Davies. He provided a mid-year status on Quonset’s performance against defined Employee Incentive Goals.
In summary, said Davies, one milestone has already been achieved, three are on track and two milestones are at risk. Here’s the detailed breakdown of performance against goals:
- 25% improvement in first time production quality: On Track
- 80% participation in Continuous Improvement Idea submissions: At Risk
- Improve schedule performance by reducing delinquent work orders: At Risk
- Deliver 801 6/7 on time: Achieved
- Complete/Ship five fully outfitted missile tubes to UK Program by November: On Track
- Complete 1st CLB Quad Pack and send to paint by Dec. 2021: On Track
“Safety is the other key component of the Incentive Program,” said Davies. “Put most simply, our goal is to have less than 2.75 people out of 100 have a recordable injury resulting in lost work. Right now, we are at about 2.6. We are doing okay, but it is our shared responsibility to do everything we can, every day, to start work safe, conduct our work safely and go home, as we all say, in the same condition we came in.”
Davies invited Mark Wiese to provide an update on an important safety initiative underway at the site. As part of Quonset’s safety improvement efforts, the Hourly Safety Committee was formed. The committee is comprised of 15 lead safety advisors each on first and second shift.
“This committee advocates for the hourly workforce, has improved department to department communication and best practice sharing, and improved relationships and communication with the senior leadership team,” said Wiese. “We now have a conduit to get to management.”
Wiese cited several examples of positive change the committee has impacted, including reduced strains and sprains by groups doing stretching warm ups pre job start. They have worked with Facilities to accelerate repairs of PI Tools and on the installation of signage and mobile speed bumps to improve safety in parking lots.
Christian Lange, Director of Quality Assurance, talked with the group about the link between our company’s values and first time quality and encouraged employees to reflect on this important relationship.
“If you are not putting the best quality into the work that you do every day, are you truly committed to excellence? You should ask yourself. Am I behaving with integrity and purpose? Am I making sure my job is done to the best of my abilities the first time, every time?,” asked Lange.
He then provided an update on MT Weld Quality Improvement. Despite challenges presented by a new workforce, new design and an unprecedented backlog, Lange reported positive momentum. The reject rate on MT welds has declined since the beginning of the year, a trend the team hopes to maintain in order to meet one of the organization’s Incentive Goals for the year.
The team took questions and feedback from attendees on a number of topics, ranging from on-the-job training to employee break areas. The Quonset team will hold several more sessions this year.
Rayha Report Ep. 20: 2026 EB Signing Days
Electric Boat held recent Signing Day ceremonies at Cranston West High School on May 21 and the Garde Arts Center in New London on May 28. EB President Mark Rayha spoke with students about their decision to join EB and educators who prepare their students for careers in shipbuilding. Click here to see the latest installment of the Rayha...Continue reading→
Save the Date: CT Health Fairs Kick Off June 9
A Message From Dan Vieira and Kathleen Heller At EB, Safety and Wellness go far beyond meeting basic compliance standards. Our focus is on building a culture where employees can thrive in every aspect of their lives. Prioritizing wellbeing is vital to being our best on the job and at home with our families. ...Continue reading→
Supporting Our Neighbors Impacted by The Ledges Apartments Fire
Early Sunday morning, a devastating fire occurred at The Ledges Apartments in Groton. Eighteen fire departments, including Electric Boat’s, responded. Thanks to the heroism of these first responders no residents were injured. The fire did, however, displace more than approximately 50 residents and destroyed or damaged 44 units in the building. Several EB employees were...Continue reading→
Pride Month Celebrations at Electric Boat
June 1st marks the start of Pride Month, a time for millions of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies around the world to come together in celebration and reflection. From film festivals and art shows, to marches and concerts, Pride is a vibrant tribute to LGBTQ+ culture, history and the relentless spirit of activism. It’s a chance...Continue reading→
Celebrating Our Next Generation of Shipbuilders
The Next Generation of Shipbuilders Takes the Stage Over the past two weeks, Electric Boat welcomed the next generation of shipbuilders at our Rhode Island and Connecticut Signing Day celebrations, marking the beginning of a journey that will help shape the future of our company and our nation’s defense. Held at Cranston High School West...Continue reading→
Update: Gold Star Bridge Project – Upcoming Traffic Impacts
CT DOT is preparing to enter the next major phase of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge Rehabilitation Project, and employees should expect new traffic patterns that may affect travel to and from EB’s Groton and New London facilities. A crossover will direct two northbound lanes onto the southbound bridge, as shown in this CT DOT...Continue reading→
PCU Utah Floats Off
PCU Utah (SSN 801) floated off the pontoon in Graving Dock #3 on Sunday, May 17, her hull seeing water for the first time. Huge congratulations to every Electric Boat shipbuilder whose hard work and dedication brought Utah to this major milestone!
Pathways to the Deep Officially Opens at Mystic Aquarium
On Monday, May 11th, we officially cut the ribbon on Pathways to the Deep, a brand-new interactive exhibit at Mystic Aquarium that connects ocean science, technology, exploration and careers through hands-on learning and discovery. This collaborative effort between General Dynamics Electric Boat, Mystic Aquarium, the Submarine Industrial Base and Build Submarines was created to spark curiosity and...Continue reading→
Electric Boat featured in ADC’s ‘Homefront’ Video Series
General Dynamics Electric Boat is featured in the latest episode of the Association of Defense Communities’ (ADC) Homefront video series, which examines military communities across the country. The episode highlights Electric Boat’s long-standing partnership with the U.S. Navy, the generations of shipbuilders who power our mission and the opportunities ahead for the next wave of...Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 19: Operations Leadership Hiring Initiative
In his latest Rayha Report, EB President Mark Rayha speaks with Chief of Talent Acquisition Meredith Kyle on the ways the company is boosting operations leadership hiring. Joining them is Konrad Wennberg and Mike Simmons, who provide insight on their internal moves from engineering to operations supervisor positions.
